News on Research from the United States

Researchers discovered that in a wild variety of potato (Solanum Microdontum) Calcium levels are about seven times higher than in a regular potato. They developed a molecular marker to facilitate the transfer of the high Calcium trait to newly bred potato varieties.

U.S. children are not consuming enough vegetables, resulting in an inadequate intake of key nutrients, including potassium and dietary fiber, which are important for growth, development and overall health.

Idaho State University researchers have found high-tech cameras mounted on drones flying 60 meters above potato fields can effectively detect individual diseased and stressed plants.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) unveiled its first Spud Nation™ Food Truck at POTATO EXPO 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an entirely new, proactive and aggressive demand-building approach for potatoes.

At the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2016 Annual Meeting, held January 14-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jim Tiede from James Tiede Farms of American Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as NPC’s president for 2016 and to lead the council’s Executive Committee.

Neil Gudmestad, a potato pathologist with North Dakota State University, has been awarded the 2015 Potato Man for All Seasons award by produce magazine The Packer.

Stanley Trout joins the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) foodservice marketing team as Promotions Director for the Southeast, based in Nashville, TN.

Twenty potato growers from all over the Wisconsin converged on Madison last week for their annual “grill the professors” ritual.

The US Agency for International Development has awarded Michigan State University (MSU) a $5.8 million cooperative agreement to improve potato production in Bangladesh and Indonesia. Additional partners include the University of Minnesota and J.R. Simplot as well as in-country partners in both Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Calyxt, Inc., a Minnesota-based company focusing on developing healthier food products, has announced that it has completed the first field trials of its cold storable potato.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Potato Research Worksite is a unique, invaluable resource that helps develop better chips, fries and dehydrated flakes through improved storage and processing.

Arca Continental today inaugurated its Global Innovation Center for Snacks in Atlanta, which will serve the Wise business in the US, Bokados in Mexico and Inalecsa in Ecuador.

Don’t miss out on the chance to recognize and honor a well-deserving member of the potato grower community by nominating them for 'Potato Man of the Year' or 'Potato Man for All Seasons'.

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) announced the recent appointment of James Hoff as a new Commissioner who will serve a three-year term. James Hoff of Hoff Farms in Idaho Falls will be formally sworn in at the IPC’s October meeting.

With digging season just around the corner, eastern Idaho potato farmers say they are optimistic they will improve on a middling 2014 harvest this year.

Just in time for the back to school season, here is your A to Z guide on potato nutrition, brought to you by the United States Potato Board.

Kelly McIver was named the Executive Director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission (NCSPC) on August 17, following the retirement announcement earlier this year by longtime director Sue Johnson-Langdon.

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) recently updated its website to make it easier than ever for consumers to spend quality time online with Idaho® potatoes.